Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case by river trade vessel involving goods worth about $28 million
Hong Kong Customs on May 9 detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $28 million was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs suspected that criminals were using river trade vessels to smuggle goods to Macao, and thus formulated strategies to combat such activities. During the operation, a river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong and bound for Macao was selected for inspection on the abovementioned date. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods were seized, including electronic parts, beauty needles, alternative smoking products, suspected duty-not-paid tobacco products, suspected scheduled dried shark fins and expensive food ingredients.
An investigation is ongoing.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant activities.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Moreover, Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case by river trade vessel involving goods worth about $28 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
